Readers comment on possible library closings

Friday

Possible closings of branch libraries locally just continues a recent trend in Jacksonville.

The libraries are being cut to the point that services are suffering.

This comes despite growth in both visits and circulation in recent years. The statistics prove that library use remains popular.

Libraries are probably the most popular public service. And neighborhood libraries are beloved like local schools.

But if budget cuts take place, then Jacksonville will be moving backward to days before the Better Jacksonville Plan expanded and modernized the library system.

Library fans have reacted to the roughly $43 million city share of EverBank Field improvements. Yes, the money likely can't be used for libraries. Yet why can't libraries have a special pot of money? That was the conclusion of a review by Jacksonville Community Council Inc. The proposal is to carve out a share of the city budget for libraries vs. cutting funds every year.

We asked members of our Email Interactive Group for their responses. If you would like to join, send an email to: carol.boone@jacksonville.com.

PUBLIC-PRIVATE LIBRARIES

If EverBank can sponsor the football stadium, then why not have other businesses sponsor a library? For instance, ABC Inc. could sponsor the Murray Hill Library and have its name on the building. Employees of the ABC company would help with afterschool tutoring and special events.

The ABC company would get an unlimited amount of exposure with this public-private venture.

Alyce Adkins, Jacksonville

LET'S USE COMMON SENSE

I don't know how many of Jacksonville's 827,908 residents actually use the library, but every man, woman and child's share of the library's current budget would be something like $43 per person.

Can we begin our discussion of the library's budgetary needs by clarifying what the average Jacksonville citizen needs the library to do for them?

Magic is based on misdirection. Making the EverBank Field sign a part of the library discussion is what a con man would do.

I realize common sense is a flower that doesn't grow in everybody's garden, but let's season this conversation with a liberal dose of it.

Jim Vaughan, Southside

WE CAN FIND THE MONEY

In spite of the electronic age we are in, libraries are very important. I think a good, dedicated source for library funding can come from a percentage of property taxes. I also believe that the entire library budget could probably be funded by eliminating wasteful city spending.

John Reinheimer, Orange Park

THE BIG PICTURE

Having the largest scoreboard in the NFL while libraries are closing and public safety personnel are being laid off is kind of like being the richest man in the graveyard.

Mack Gooding, Orange Park

A BAD MESSAGE

Revenue for libraries shouldn't be cut, but instead increased with a correlated rise in open hours and services even if we raise taxes to do it.

As a Jacksonville native, I'm aware that nothing says to outsiders: "We're a bunch of ignorant dolts who don't care about education" like the cuts our city has made to the libraries. I will gladly pay more taxes to live in a city that has more library services as I am confident it will translate into a more educated city, which translates into higher wages, which translates into a better quality of life.

Paul Zetterower, Jacksonville

ESSENTIAL SERVICES

Libraries should be considered an essential public service like police and fire services or the maintenance of roads and highways.

The costs of libraries as the costs of other essential services should be the last thing cut in a tight budget. The city budget should be the dedicated source of funding. Creating a new district or other form of revenue stream leads us right back to what the founders of consolidated government sought to avoid.

While the transfer of knowledge is evolving, and based on what has happened in the past twenty years, none of us can predict how we will receive information 20 years from now. But 20 years from now, we will still need libraries to hold the information in collections in whatever form we read or listen or watch.

In the long run as a city we are not going to be judged by the size of our stadium scoreboards but by the quality of our public services.

Richard Bowers, Ponte Vedra Beach

TIME FOR USER FEE?

I think the real problem lies in our definition of "free." The library system is not free for anyone. Perhaps it is time to impose a user fee as we have done on so many other free services provided by the city.

Jim Kavanagh. St. Augustine

DON'T CLOSE BEACHES BRANCH

Closing more branches is terrible, but shuttering the Beaches branch would be a tragedy. It is always busy and not only a place to lend books but a community center as well.

The computers are constantly being used, and the children's programs are full. Also of concern are needed repairs to the city infrastructure. That is more crucial than making the Jaguars viable in the NFL market

Bridges all across the U.S. are failing and in need of repair. Jacksonville has many in daily use.

What gives with the city fathers? I think city budget monies are being misdirected and would be better used for road repair, an increase in police on the streets and in continued library funding.

Patricia Thornton, Jacksonville

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